Buffing wheel



y 1950 I H. H. BAHR 2,506,288

BUFFING WHEEL Fil ed May 29, 1947 2 She'ets-Sheet 1 H. H. BAHR BUFFING WHEEL May 2, 1950 Filed May 29, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet -2 INVENTOR. fiE/VA Y H EAHIQ Patented May 2, 1950 BUFFING WHEEL 7 Henry H. Bahr, New York, N. Y., assignor to Guaranteed Buff Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application-May 29, 1947, Serial No.- 751,27- 1 7 Claims. (01. 51-3193) The present invention is directed to buflin wheels, more particularly of the type wherein fabric or similar material is mounted on a suit able hub and rotated at high speed.

- Various structures of this type have previously been used but certain disadvantages are inherent in such prior art structures. For instance, in one such construction, pieces of fabric were sewed together and cords provided along the edges thereof which were in turn secured to a rotatable drum. In such structure, the speed of rotation was such that the cords did not hold securely in the hub and the pieces of fabric were so spaced that an inadequate buifmg effect was obtained.

In another structure of this character there was provided a wheel of metal having a recess on the periphery thereof and pieces of leather 'or the like were introduced into the periphery and extended outwardly therefrom. This had numerous disadvantages in that the assembly of the pieces was a slow and tedious task, as each piece had to be inserted individually into a slot and considerable time and effort was wasted in the procedure. Furthermore, the pieces of leather were loosely mounted so that they had a tendency to move relatively to each other during the bufiiing operation and often such pieces tore and pulled out of the wheel.

The present invention is intended .and adapted to'overcome thedifficulties and disadvantages inherent in prior structures of this type, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide a structure of buffing wheel which is sturdy in construction and capable of use over long periods of time with highly effective results.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a' bufin-g wheel which is simple and easy to assemble and wherein the pieces of fabric are held in predetermined relationship without any danger of such pieces becoming loosened or tearing out.

It is still further among the objects of the pres ent invention to provide a bufling wheel of the type described wherein air may be provided for cooling purposes, buffing compounds in liquid form or various other degrees of viscosity may be contained therein, and wherein a plurality of units may be assembled to provide a single unit.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and 2 1 the present invention, some parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the buifing wheel shown in Fig. 1, some parts being omitted and other parts being broken away for clearness;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top view of said wheel;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a wheel made by a modified arrangement of the fabric pieces;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through a wheel of modified form wherein an annular channel-like member is an essential ele ment;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the form shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a modified form of buffing wheel wherein suitable staples, preferably belt hooks, are provided for holding the pieces of fabric;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a bundle of pieces of fabric constituting a part of the modification shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a plan view, fragmentary in character, showing a modification similar to Fig. 6, but in which the pieces of cloth are in a plane parallel to the face of the wheel, and d Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an assembly of a plurality of wheels to provide a single buffing unit.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is provided a plurality of pieces of fabric l which are cut on the bias, so as to provide a maximum of thread ends on the outer edge 4 of said pieces to enhance the bufilng effect. Pieces I are cut so as to have a relatively narrow neck near base 3. The upper edge 4 and the side edges 2 provide the buffing surface.

Core 5 of wood, metal, synthetic resinous com positions or the like, has an opening 6 for mounting on a spindle. The periphery 1 thereof is spaced from base 3 to provide an annular space 8 between the same. A pair of disks 9 and I0 have their edges ll curved inwardly and straddle core 5. Said edges may be provided with serrations l2 and have opening I3 registering with opening 6. Edges l tare. introduced into neck M of pieces I and clamped in place by a series of rivets l5. Preferably, and usually, pieces I are set at an angle other than. a rightangle 'to the face of disks 9 and ID." This angle may be of any desired extent in orderto give the prede termined results. 7

Disk I 0 is provided with'an opening adjacent to space 8 covered by a cap it. A suitable liquid bufiing compound is introduced into space 8 and cap l6 retains the same. In operation, during the high speed rotation of the bufiing wheel, the liquid by centrifugal action is caused to advance through base 3 of the pieces I and then outwardly to edges 2 and 4 where the liquid comes in contact with the article being buffed.

In the modification shown in :Fig. 4, disks 9 and H] are provided with a series of relatively large openings i8 communicating with space 8. A bundle of pieces of fabric Is is stapled together as shown at 29 and a series of such bundlesare clamped between disks 9 and Hi with spacers 21 between the same. By this construction, during the rotation of the bufiing 'WhGBL'aiI is drawn into openings l8 and is ejected radially through spacers 2|, thus maintaining ithe'wheel' and the work cool and preventing scorching of the fabric.

Referring to the modification showninFigs. and 6, there is provided an annular channel formed byztwo fiangesinparallel relationship and. a base 23 joining the bases of said flanges. The outer edges of 'flanges'iz areturn'edinwardly as shown at 24 and serrated or provided with prongs if desired. Pieces of fabric I are clamped between the same. This may be accomplished by first providing a channel-like member 2-22- without the inturned edges '25, assembling the pieces of fabric therein and then bya suitable tool bending over edges 24 into the necks of said fabric pieces.

Annular recesses 25 may be provided at the inner edges of said channel. A pair of spiders'zfi, having a central opening to accommodate spindle or'shaftl'i, have openings 2? therein. Thelegs of the spiders may be set at an angle to-the plane of rotation, thus forming fan blades for the purpose of forcing'air into the interior of the hub and fromthere through pieces I to the point of contact with the work. The outer edges of spiders 26 areformed annularly as shown at 28 so that they may fit over ring 23 and recess 25 formed in the channel member. .Said spiders constitute a hub formounting the bufling wheel on a suitable axle and said spiders may be 'seowed to the channel member by any suitable means as by riveting, spot welding or by any other well-known device.

As shown-in Figs. Land 8, there is provided a pair of disks 23 having central openings to accommodate spindle "l1. Along the outer edges :of'said disks are aseries of pins or rivets 3i? passing between said disks and holding them in spaced relation. Pieces of fabric -'3i are stapled together by belt books 32. Pins 38 pass through the the free ends of hooks 132, thus holding bundles 3| flexibly but firmly in the bufling wheel. Pins 36 may be set so that the centerlines there- 'of are at right angles to theplane'of disks29. 'In such case the pieces of fabric constituting the bundle may be stapled together so that when mounted in the buffing-wheel, the plane of the pieces of fabric is at right angles to the plane of said disks. In the alternative, pins 33 may be so' positionedthatthey are not at right angles to the diskain-whibh case the pieces 3-! are stapled together at an angle as shown in Fig.8, so that 'theside edges'of the bundles are in a plane parallel to the disks.

'InFig. 9 thereis shown-a modification of the invention wherein the pieces of fabric 33 are in a plane parallel'to the'plane of'the disks. There'is provided a bundle of pieces .33andaseries of such bundles areplacedso'that the :centerlines 34 and adjoining edges thereof are radial. Rivets 35 mounting a plurality of units.

, paper and cloth,-or the like.

pass through the bundles of pieces and are anchored in disks 36. Openings 3'! are provided in said disks in order to provide a current of air for cooling the wheel and work while in operation.

It is often desirable to provide a relatively wide buffing surface and for this purpose a, plurality of individual buffing wheels are assembled as a unit, as shown-in Fig.:.l0. There'is provided a shaft 38 having a shoulder 39 and a spindle H of lesser diameter is formed thereby, providing means for Washer 4| is placed against shoulder 39 and unit 43 mounted on spindle l1. Washer 42 is placed against unit 43 and unit 44 is mounted in contact with washer 42. Washer42'dsplaced against unit 44 and unit 45 is mounted'in contact with washer 42'. Nut 46 is threaded .011t0 fi11d 41 of spindle I1 and a washer 4.8 is interposed between nut 46 and spider 26. Thereby the entire assembly is held rigidly together as a unit having a relatively wide bufiing surface.

Numerous advantages are inherent inthe present construction:

It is possibleto'assemble a number-of individual buffing wheels toprovide a single-wide wheel for he buffing of relatively large articles. Alsoby reason of the construction of the presentwheel, there is readily obtained both front and side polishing action. The angle atwh-ichthe pieces of fabric are mounted may be varied'over =a wi'de range, thereby accordingly changing the polishin and bufilng qualities. Theventilating action described herein resulting from the bladedike side members of the wheel, prevents burning'or scorching of the fabric and the'melting 'of' the polishing composition, by reason of theair being forced into the wheel, keeping the same 0001.

The number of pieces of fabric may be 'varied so as to provide harder or softer buffing wheels without the necessity of using spacing disks-of smaller diameters as in prior structures. The bufiing action may be modified by providing alternate pieces of hard and soft material su'chas a combination of muslin and flannel or sand By reason of "the angular location of the pieces, therels a shearing action provided, thereby giving-better and more uniform buffing and polishing of the:arti cles. By the term fabric as'used hereinit isintended to include not only textile fabricsbut' also any flexible sheet material adapted for usein wheels of the character described.

Although the invention has been'describedsetting forth several specific embodiments thereof, such embodiments are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit the sameas many variations in the'details of construction may be made within the spirit of the invention. For instance, the openings 53 and 31 may be of any'desire'd size or shape and need not necessarily be circular. Space 8 in the modification shown in Fig. l'may be omitted and core 5 may have its outer surface 1 substantially in contact with base 3 :of the fabric pieces. The shape of neck M on said pieces may be other than shown and'it may even be a slot at right angles .to'the sides 2 .of said pieces. The buffing edges '4 and/or .2 may be shaped to conform with the profile of .the articles beinggpolished so that .said articles may be buffed completely in a single operation. The bases'3 of said pieces may be impregnated with suitable adhesive or resinous composition in order to give a solid mass and thus facilitating themounting andadditionally preventing the units from bein torn out 'of position. Said pieces need not be'sy'mmetrical and may extend laterally more on one side than on the other side of the wheel.

In the modification shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the depth of the fabric pieces may be substantially greater than shown and the hub or mounting for the same may be of relatively lesser diameter, thus increasing the life of the buffing wheel. There may be introduced rivets or pins 50 passing through the disks and the fabric pieces to more securely hold the same in place. Such rivets may also be provided on the other modifications described herein. The pieces of fabric as shown in Fig. 9 may be held in position otherwise than as shown, as for example by belt hooks, rings, staples, or the like.

Core 5 may be omitted and the sides 9 and 10 so constructed that they are in contact or they may be fixed in spaced position, if desired. Space 8 for holding buffing composition may be deeper or shallower than shown and described, depending upon the amount of such composition it is desired to carry in the space. Parts 22 and 23 may be made of several elements joined together or part 23 may be omitted entirely. The bufiing wheels may be mounted on horizontal or vertical axes, and are suitable for side polishing and buffing.

There may be provided a disk-like base having a stub shaft secured on one face thereof. The other face has one or more concentric circular grooves. In each of the grooves there is placed a continuous strip cut on the bias and wound spirally to provide an annular member. If desired, a channel-like clip may be utilized to hold the convolutions together. After the strips are assembled in the grooves, radial pins may be introduced to further lock the same in position. Provision may be made in the base for openings to allow air to be drawn or forced through the bufiing Wheel adjacent to the fabric strips, in order to cool the same. Fan blades or the like may be provided to assist in the circulation of air. The fabric strips may be arranged in radial grooves, in which case the bundle or set of pieces is of corresponding shape, or such grooves may be curved and the strips arranged in such curved grooves similar to the blades of a centrifugal pump. Such a structure is adapted for use on its face and sides in bufiing operations.

In a further modification, a disk is mounted on the end of a shaft and bundles of pieces similar to that shown in Fig. 8 held by belt hooks or staples are provided. A series of spaced radial or otherwise arranged holes is provided in said disk, the free ends of said hooks are passed through each of said series and wires or the like passed through said free ends at the back of the disk to lock the bundles in position. The face and side of the bulfing wheel so formed may be used for polishing. To assist in the ventilating action in Fig. 5 openings may be provided in member 23.

These and other changes may be made in the details of the invention, which is to be broadly construed and limited only by the character of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A buffing wheel comprising a pair of disks spaced apart and in lateral alinement, means for mounting said disks on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins connecting said disks adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge by staples, the ends of said staples fitting over said pins between said disks.

2. A buffing wheel comprising a pair of disks spaced apart and in lateral alinement, means for mounting said disks on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins connecting said disks adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge by staples, the ends of said staples fitting over said pins between said disks, the axes of said pins being at an angle to said disks other than a right angle.

3. A bufiing wheel comprising a pair of disks spaced apart and in lateral alinement, means for mounting said disks on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins connecting said disks adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge by staples, the ends of said staples fitting over said pins between said disks, the width of said pieces being greater than the distance between said disks.

4. A bufling wheel comprising a pair of disks spaced apart and in lateral alinement, means for mounting said disks on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins connecting said disks adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge by staples, the ends of said staples fitting over said pins between said disks, said fabric being bias cut to provide weft and woof thread ends on the outer edge thereof.

5. A buffing wheel comprising a pair of disks spaced apart and in lateral alinement, means for mounting said disks on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins connecting said disks adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge of staples, the ends of said staples fitting over said pins between said disks, said pieces of fabric being at an angle to said disks other than a right angle.

6. A buffing wheel comprising a disk, means for mounting said disk on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins secured to said disk adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge by staples, the ends of said staples fitting over said pins.

7. A bumng wheel comprising a disk, means for mounting said disk on a shaft, a plurality of spaced pins secured to said disk adjacent to the periphery thereof, a plurality of sets of pieces of fabric secured together at one edge by staples,

# the ends of said staples fitting over said pins,

said fabric being bias cut to provide weft and woof thread ends on the outer edge thereof.

HENRY H. BAHR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

